Fluid lifting apparatus for wells



Spt. 21, 1937.

L. O. KOEN FLUID LIFTING APPARATUS Fon WELLS Filed Dec. 14, 1955" 5 sheets-smet 1 L. o. KOEN FLUID, L IFTING APPARATUS FOR WELL'S Sept. 21, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Filednec. 14, 19s5 vllilml.

Sept.A 21, 1937;

L. O. KOEN Fmm LIFTING APPARATUS Fon WELLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 14, 1935" Emu/ww@ LEE 0 /l/oE/v sept.21,193.7.y

` @ummmv N y2,093,609 FLUID LITLNG ABPARATUS FOR WELLS l Filed Dec-l.l 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 21, 1937.

L o. KoEN FLUID LIFTING APPARATUS FOR WELLS Filed Dec. 14. 1935 5 sheets-sham;l

Patented Sept. 2l, 1937 c FLmn mmc. Arrsna'rns rolt WELLS v Lee V0. l{oen, Houston. Tex, i Application December 14, 1935. SeriaINo. 54,3976v i This invention relates .tonew'iiand useful im# provements in iluid lifting apparatuses for wells. One'object of the improved fluid lifting apparatus-adapted to be installed in a well, and s o arranged when operated, as toA discharge intermittently, slugs' 4or ascertained quantities `of fluid, and thus flow the well; or to aerate thel iluidcolumnstanding in the well, therebyassisting the well tu ow intermittently.l in heads, orfcons'tantly.

An importantobject of 'the invention is to prov' vide a fluid lifting apparatus involving valve well: and actuating f and producing operation when it vor being rigid but possessing'suilicient inherent weight as to either require very little added weight or none at all. l

Another object of the invention is to provide `an improved iluid lifting apparatus including .valve mechanismv adaptedgto be installed in a means, so arranged as to be v lowered iromthe surface-and engaged withl the r operating means. i

' the invention is to provide an im Q ing a liquid inlet valve'and'a without'interference` from; or injury to, `the said Anobject of t proved fluid lifting apparatus including a liquid inlet valveand a pressurelfiuid inlet valve separated therefromrand reciprocal means positively v40 operable from'the surface forindividually actuating said valves, i 1 'o i- Still another object of the inventionl is to providev an improved' fluid lifting apparatus-includ- Dtessure fluid inlet.

valve: and'exible means extending up` the well )for reciprocation from the surface, and having operating imnectionlwith I u `with a weight. for holding a `-totake up ,slackv and stretch therein,'whereby the valves, obtained. 4

Still another robiectoi' the invention is to prosaid valves. together 4 said connection taut the length .of the `stroke 'may be `reduced anda ymore positive. and `.more lsensitive operation `of vues aum mung apparatus including-a liquid inlet valve and a pressure fluid inlet valve. opens" invention `is to provide an'.

.means of a pressure fluid or is reciprocated,

l installed therein,- the fluid pressure valves being closed, f

lines of' Figuresl Aand* 2r ing to the tubing,.and so arranged that the valves will 4be heldclosed while the apparatus is being installed, so that the tubing remains dry, `whichjmay be released from the surface to free the valves. 5

An important object of the invention is to provide a'n' improved fluid lifting device for use in a well -so arranged that the timing of the opening and 'closing of the iuid and liquid inlet valves, may be positively 'controlled from the surfacev of the well, whereby the` flowing of the well by with the aid thereof may `he regulated toa maximum extent andrcomparatively accuratevadjustments made from the surface oftheyduration of the lengths of the periods for which the valves are held open and/orA closed.

A construction vdesigned to carry out the invention willv be `hereinafter described,'together withV other features :of the invention.

The invention `will be more readily understood from a reading of' the following specification and by reference to the 'accompanying drawings. in which anV example ofthe invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is-avertical sectional view of a portion cfa well and the upper portion of an apparatus constructedin accordance with the invention,

. 30 Figure 2 isa similar View showing the lower portion of. saidapparatus, the liquid inlet valve being closed.

Figure 3 is a view similar to'Figure 1 showing in full lines the fluid inlet -valve closed and in dotted lines suchvalve opened,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing' the liquid inletyvalve open, A

Figure 5i's a view similar to Figure 1 showing the auxiliary iiuid pressure inlet valve open,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing i the lowerportion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 5. theagliquid inlet valves being open,

' Flgures'l` to11,linclusive, are enlargedvhorizontal cross-sectionalfviews taken on respective Figure `1i?.` isanrenisrjged uetau `or the :tripping mechanism for 4the uidpressure valve. A

ngureis is@ simnarviewtrtne trippinginecianim 'fnrthelmuld inletvelvep,

Misa-view similar to Fig-ure another-form er the inv'imtigm,A

insurer 1511s :.aview 2 fand' shwin'. theflewer.; vertiges?? 44 is disposed within '44, the upper end of Figure 16 is a detail of the spear releasing device, and

Figure 1'1 is a detail of the weight latch.

In the drawings, the numeral 20 indicates a tubular housing or hollow cylindrical casing,

preferably of metal and made to contain uids and liquids. kThis housing is adapted to be set in a casing 2i .in any suitable manner, but preferably suspended from a string of tubing 22; also it is generally considerably less in diameter than the interior of the casing so as to leaveI a space therebetween. The lower end of the housing 24 is internally screw threaded to receive the screw threaded pin 24 (Figure 2) of a tubular packer sub 24. which carries a flexible packer 25 engaging the casing 2|. A strainer 24 may be connected with the sub by a tubing 21.

The housing 24 is usually immersed in the liquid standing in the casing andthe weight of the liquid above the packer will expand the same against the casing so as to form a fluid-tight joint; any pressure fluid above the liquid will exert its pressure thereon and accentuate the expension of the packer and overcome pressures below said packer. Any means may be employed to hold the housing in position in the casing, but usually the packer andthe tubing will be sufilcient.

Just above the pin ternal-ilange 24 on which a lower head or valve block 24 rests. This head ilts snugly in the housing and is tightly held upon said flange by a stem 44 which passes through a spider 3i engaging the underside of the flange. The stem is fastened in the spider by a nut 42. A plurality of uprights or stud bars 44 extend up the housing adjacentits inner wall, and as is best shown'in Figures 7 to il inclusive, three equally spaced bars. but the number may Y 'Ihe bars support, at their upper ends, an upper head 44 which nts snugly in the upper end of the housing and ha's an upper screw threaded portionextending above the housing to receive a collar 44. A gasket 44 is interposed between the lower4 edge of the collar and the upper edge of the housing. The bars are welded or otherwise fastened in the heads 24 and 34 and these parts constitute a cage held in the housing by the stem 4i, but which may be removedby disconnecting said stem and spider.- When the collar 44 is screwed down upon the gasket, the bars 44 will be tensioned, whereby the cage will be give rigidity.

Intermediate the heads 24 and I4 a valve block the cage 41 and suitably fastened to one' of the This block is formed which is connected by a tubing 44 with a duct .4| extending through the head 44. An inlet tube 42. (Figure. 1) extends* from the upperl end o'f the duct 4I upward through the collar into the casing to a point well abovethemaximum liquid level in said cas- A strainer 44 may beplaced upon the upper end of the inlet tube so as to prevent any obstruction falling into the tube and cloggingit or the parts connected therewith. This strainer and tube admit air or gas under pressure that the housing 24 and tube.. 42.

A vertical passage 44 extends the block /llhis is under compression so as to hold the' 24 the housing has an inthere are, preferably, Y

41 which is immovahll'` 44 and spider bars 44 as by welding. with a right angular duct l which is conducted to the duct 44. It 'will be apparent being closed .at each end, iluidpressure can only enter through the strainer I' 44 and intersects the duct 49, as is best shown in Figure 5. Valve seats 45 and 46 are formed in the passage immediately above and below the duct 49 for receiving valve heads 41 and 44 which either open or close said passage to permit the pressure iluid to flow through the passage into the upper and lower portions of the housing. The valve heads are fastened together and a stem 49 depends from the'lower head for raising and lowering said heads to open and close the passage. The valve head 44 exposes a greater area in the duct 39 than the head 41, and consequently the pressure uid will tend to seat the valves. This seating action will be accentuated lby a coil spring 50 surrounding the valve stem betweenthe end of said stem. i

For operating the valve heads a device is provided which is more clearly shown in Figure l2 and comprises a plunger 52 having its upper end pivoted in the clevis 4I and its lower portion telescoping asleeve 53 which has a yoke 44 at its lower end straddling and pivoted to the medial portion of a tripping lever 44. Thelever 55 has one end pivoted in a bracket 44 welded or otherwise fastened on the bar 34 which carries the block 44; while a roller 51 is journaled on the opposite or outer end of the lever. The

block and a clevis 5l on the lowerl sleeve 53 is provided with a transverse slot 54' and the plunger 42 carries a pin 59 extending ciprcations of the plunger and sleeve are limited by the length of said slot.

A washer 44 surrounding the sleeve rests upon thepin 44 and engages the lower end of a coil spring 4i and has its upper end seated in a wash-- er l42 fastened around the upper end of the sleeve 44. This spring is under compression so as to elevate the sleeve and hold the pin at the bottom of the slot 44. whereby the lever 54 is normally supported in a substantially horizontal position as is shown in Figure 1, the valves 41 and 44 being closed. It is obvious struction engaging the roller 51 and moving downwardly would swing the lever 55 downwardly which would pull thesleeve 53 downwardly that any oby whereby the pin 44 would slide in the slot 44 and Figures 3 and l2.A This operation would raise the valves because the pin 44 resting ion the bottom of theslot 44, would cause the plungerv 42 to be lifted.

The lower head 24 is provided with right angular inlet ducts 44 and 44 which are reversed so that the duct 44 overhangs the duct 44 as is best shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6. The overhanging portions' -of the ducts communicate through a valve seat 4l. A valve seat 44 in the top of the duct 44 communicates with a port 41 extending through the top of the block. A valve head 44'in the duct 44 engages the seat 44 and is fastened to a valve head 44 which engages the seat 44 vin the duct `to the lower endof a stem 14 extending from-the port and having a clevis 1I on its upper end. A-

iruno-conical coil spring 12 surrcundsthe stem and has itsl lower end resting on the head around the port 41 and its upper end engsging'the clevis.

This would permit the downward 44. These heads are fastened Y valve mechanism lower end of the sleevel is and its lower end pivoted in 50 tended up the well.

V55 slack, otherwise therepressure 'will co-act hold the valves closed.

It'is desirable to alternately operate the iluid and 'the liquid valve mechanism and, therefore, mechanism is provided which operates oppositely to the lever 55. A

20 upper end of the sleeve and normally' the pin `engages vthe upper'end ofthe slot. A washerv 60' rests upon a coil springl 6I' surrounding the sleeveand supported on a washer `62? fastened on the lower end of the 'sleev A clevis y13 onthe pivoted to the outer end o1' a counter lever -14 mediallypiv'oted on a bracket 15 fastened on the bar 33 to which the other levers are attached.

end pivoted to theinnerV the clevis 1|. It is obvious that when an obstruction moving downwardly engages the roller 51'., thellever 55 will be swung downwardlyzwhereby theplunger `52 will be telescoped inthe sleeve 45 to admit liquid to the housing 20.

Any-means which will positively operate the valve mechanisms or the valves themselves be sufficiently taut or under such tension as to operate within a pre-determined length of stroke Y of the valves without losses due to stretch or l would be too much.' lost motion and' it would be difficult if Anot impossible to accurate y time the opening and closingvof the valves. I

ForV actuating the levers'55 and 55'. any suit? 19. The lug 18 is located k so as to engage the .rollers 51 and 51' and operateg5' the levers 55 and 55';

` while the lug 19 is located to engage the' roller 51' and actuate the lever 55.

These endsso as to giveay A link 16 has its upper.

end of the lever 14 i n to hold the levez` .14 *I 40 against swinging. However,'when `an obstrucupwardly engages the roller 51' the Such means would have-to as to produce positive operation l and explanation, as

` limited there* very satisfactory the latter.

of spring pressed dogs 83 pivoted thereinl for receiving the head 84 of a spear l85.v fastened on the lower tending up the tubing.

rides on the surface results have been obtained with removed without interference there- The term oil will be used to designate the liquid and the term "gas` fluid, -but merely for the 'purpose of description vmg and nuwifng mm che tubing vto the point where it would lstandl in the casing. l 1

The'gasvalvesare closed and the oil valves will remain open so long as the roller B1' rides on the face of the lug 18. When the end of the lug is reached the roller will abruptly drop therefrom, thus quickly closing the valves y68 and $9 and shutting off the admission of oil. ward movement of the tripping bar 11 will cause the lug '18 to engage the roller 51 of the lever 55 and to abruptly swing the same upwardly, whereby the gas valves 41 and 48 will be opened. This will permit gas under pressure flowing by way of the conductors 43, 42, Il, lli and 39 to enter the duct 44 and discharge from the block 38 into the housing 20. As the oil cannot be displaced downupwardthe length of the lug 18. As has been before explained the lug 18 maybe moved downwardly and swing both levers 55 and 56' downwardly without actuating either the oil or the gas valves.

` on the next upilowing conditions of the well.

applies pends upon the This operation, of course, actuation.

If a well shows a tendency to flow under its own pressure and it is desired to assist this natural flowing by introducing a pressure huid into the column of oil, it would be necessary to hold the oil valve open for a longer period of time and this is accomplished by means of the second lug 19 which is located so as to engage the roller 51' when the tripping bar is raised to a higher position than for intermittent operation. When this occurs the first lug 1l which has passed from the roller 51 of the lever 5l engages the end of a lever extending across the housing from a bracket 9| fastened on the bar 33 which carries the other lever. The block 3l is provided with a port $2 having a valve head 83 seated at its upper end and opening into the duct 3l. The stem 94 of this valve extends down through the port and is the lever 90. A the block and the clevis holds the valve closed as is shown in Figure 1. When the lever is swung upwardly by lthe lug 18 the valve 93 will be opened thus admitting gas to the chamber 20. The port and valve Il are vsmaller than the valves 41 and I8' because it will coil spring 98 between upon an upward pull of parent that this operation could be produced upon the downward travel of the tripping bar 11 and such an arrangement has been illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. Parts -which .are duplicated It is obvious'that the triplower end of .a coil spring lli iscarried. This spring bears against the block il so as to hold the valves I1 and Il closed. A link |02 has its upper end pivoted in the clevis while its lower end is pivoted to a couler lever |03 pivoted in a bracket I fastened on the bar 3l. The mechanism .shown in Figur! i3 is employed except that it is Continued upsame as theparts washer Il! resting on te intermittent to admit as great a quantity of valves closedl the wire line. It is apreversed and by using the same reference numernecessary except to say that the pin 1I' will normally rest in the bottom of the slot Bl'.

Cnsequently 51 there will be no arid 48. However downwardly .the

when moved upwardly and the lug 1l lever the tripping bar 11 is moved Il will be swung downwardly thereby opening the gas valves.

The stem 1li of the rounded by a coil spring between 'the head 2l under -the clevis 1I.

pin I l0 extending spring Ill having its a flange III on the upper end of plunger is pivoted lever lli pivoted in a upper end of the portion of a fastened on the levers. Aroller of the lever.

It is obvious that of the lug 1l wardly which would bar ll1 is iournaledin oil valves il and .I is surand a washer III engaging A sleeve N1 has an ear Ill at its lower end pivoted in the clevis. receives the lower end of a plunger I This sleeve carrying a through a slot Ill much the which have been described. A

the pin supports a coll upper end bearing against theslee've. The to the medial bracket III carries the other the outer end 3l which upon an upward movement the lever Il would be swung uplift the plunger I" and spring. Ill withoutl effecting the valves 6i and 09. This compensating means operates substantially the same as been described.

UDO

lever H5 would be swung moving and thereby open the nection with the In Figure 1'1,

n a downward movement of the pin III, depress the those which have the lug 1l, the downwardly and the downward would, through sleeve Il1 l and All of described in conbe used in conoil valves sewn a nimmer;i device for suspending the weight I1, whereby the oli and lll. ing its head in placed under compression erselyof the withtheduct shankofthe anotnesaruwuibe held in an elevated position or in such position as to retain the me. 1|

with the rollers, thex'eby'preventlng bar is bar.

If`a well began it would. bejd from'the surface so that theupper.

gage the relier as' while lug 1l was still in What I claim and Patent is:

sowing under l e to cut ol! the andhold the oil and. out of engagement,

opening of valves Il and would enthe lower en'd of the ent with the roller Il. desire to secure by Letters I" which is confinedl supplyolgas' 70 Said valveslbeing adapted 1A. A well fluid lifting apparatus including, a l pressureuid inlet valve, a liquid inlet valve,.-

said valves being adapted to be installed in awell,l a conductor connected l 5 ceiving fluid and liquid therefrom,means for opening and closing said valves having a, positive' open and close said valves.

3. A Well fluid lifting apparatus including, a pressure iluid inlet valve, a liquid inlet valve, said valves being adapted to be installed in a' well to gate actuating member connected with the movablemember and extending up the well to the surface.

55' necting the actuating member from the movable anfelongateilexiblal uating niember connected with said valves for rewith the sliding member and extending up the well to the surface. 8. A well uid lifting apparatus including, a

9. A well uid lifting apparatus including, a conductor extending up: the well, an inlet valve for admitting iuid under pressure to the co'nductor, a second inlet valve for admitting liquid to said conductor, both of said valves being adapted to be installed in a well, -means arranged for operating said valves to alternately admit liquid and fluid to said conductor to -lift the liquid therein, and positive actuating means `exof the well.

10. A well fluid from. the operating means to the surface of the well, and a Weight for holding the actuating meansv taut and taking upthe slack and stretch therein.

for admitting fluid under pressure to the conductor, a second inlet valve for admitting vliquid to said conductor, both of said valves Ibeing adapted to be installed in a well, means arranged to alternately admit inlet valve and the liquid inlet valve, and positive actuating m'eans for operating said valve operating means extending up the well to the surface.

13. A well Iuid lifting apparatus including, a

' pressure fluid inlet valve, a liquid inlet valve, said valves being adapted to be installed in a well to admit liquid and pressure iiuid therefrom, a

, a trippingA device connected wlth the fluid inlet valve for opa second tripping device conand actuating means extending from the tripping bar up the well to the surface.

14. A well fluid lifting apparatus' including, a pressure iluid inlet valve, a liquid inlet valve, said valves being adapted to be installed in a well to admit liquid and pressure fluid therefrom-a conductor connected with said valves for receiving uid and liquid therefrom, a tripping device connected with the fluid inlet valve for o perating the same, a second tripping device connected with the liquid inlet valve f or operating the same, a vertically moving tripping bar having means for actuating said tripping devices, a flexible actuating connectionextending from the tripping bar up the well to the surface. and a weight for holding the flexible connection taut.

15. A well fluid lifting apparatus including, an elongate housing, a liquid inlet valve in the lower end of the housing, a fluid inlet valve in the housing having an inlet in the upper portion of said housing, said housing being'adapted to be installed in a well to receive fluid and liquid through said valves, a conductor extending from said housing for conducting uid and liquid therefrom, means movable in the housing for operating said valves, and actuating means extending from said movable means up the well to the surface for imparting motion from the surface to positively open and close said valves.

16. A well fluid lifting apparatus including, an elongate housing, a liquid inlet valve in the lower end of the housing, a duid inlet valve in the housing having an inlet in the upper portion of said housing, said housing being adapted to be installed in a well to receive fluid and liquid through said valves, a conductor extending from 35 said housing for conducting uid and liquid therefron, means arranged for operating said valves to alternately admit liquid and fluid to said housing to lift the liquid in the conductor, and positive actuating means extending from the operating means to the surface of the well.

17. A well uid lifting apparatus including, an elongate housing adapted to be installed in a well and submerged inthe liquid standing therein, a liquid inlet valve mounted in the lower/ end of the housing, a closure in the upper end of the housing having a passage therethrough for connection with the welltubing, a fluid inlet valve mounted in the housing, a fluid inlet conductor f extending into the housing to said inlet valve, in-

dividual operating elements for said valves. a vertically moving device in said housing having means for actuating the valve operating means, and an elongate actuating member extending from the surface of the well down into the housing and connected with the said device for operating the latter from the surface of the well.

18. A well fluid lifting apparatus including, a pressure fluid inlet valve, a liquid inlet valve.

L said valves being adapted to be installed in a well to admit liquid and pressure iiuid therefrom, a

conductor connected with said valves for receivy ing fluid and liquid therefrom, movable means for operating said valves, actuating means for said movable means extending from said movable means up the well to the surface for imparting motion from the surface to positively open and close said valves, and a latch for holding the movable means against operation arranged to be released by the actuating means.

LEE O. KOEN. 

